Preparation Step-by-Step
Define the team and framework
Lesson Study is a collaborative form of teacher training in which a team of teachers and other educational staff work together. A team of three to six people is ideal. If more people are interested in Lesson Study, it is possible to form several teams. Teams can also be formed using existing structures within the school (e.g. grade teams or subject departments). Teachers can also be from different year groups or subjects. The most important thing is to have a common interest in developing teaching.
Questions about the organisational framework (possibly in consultation with the school management)
- How many resources are available for Lesson Study?
- What other conditions need to be established?
- How many Lesson Study teams should be formed?
- How many cycles should be completed?
- Are knowledgeable others needed (e.g. moderation or expertise)?
- When and where will the Lesson Study team meet?
Define roles in the Lesson Study team
The distribution of roles makes working considerably easier. One of the most important roles is that of the facilitator. Their task is to lead the discussions and meetings, keep track of the materials needed and keep an eye on the time. It is also advisable to write a protocol to keep track of goals and decisions. Members should be appointed for these tasks and it should be agreed upon who, when and how the protocol will be written.
Possible tasks:
- Facilitation
- Communicating with the school administration
- Documenting the Lesson Study process
Establish standards for cooperation
Rules and standards lay the foundation for good cooperation. They are necessary for the team to work together in an open, trusting and constructive way. Therefore, the team should agree on common rules for working together at the beginning. This step may seem trivial, but it can be helpful to discuss your own expectations of how you want to work together.
Possible standards:
- Be on time
- Bring positive expectations
- Let each other finish speaking
- Give and accept constructive feedback